Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 8/23/2008

Question
Good day to you Ms. Bedell,i would like to find out what are the non frontline army jobs available. I have certification in automechanics and i was thinking about working on humvees or maybe tanks. Do you know what is the average work hours per day in the army? Do i have to be a citizen to join the Army Rangers? Thanks for whatever help,have a good day.

Answer
Dear Royando --

In the current war, there are no safe areas, if you are in the combat zone.  Although a vehicle mechanic will not go out on combat operations, just traveling from base to base to get work done, is dangerous.

You need to be a US citizen to hold any military job that requires a security clearance; you would have to be be able to get a secret clearance to be a Ranger.

Pay in the military is based on rank and years of service.  To determine likely pay, please use the pay tables at this web site:

http://www.dfas.mil/militarypay/militarypaytables/2008MilitaryPayCharts35.pdf

In the war zone, most Soldiers work close to 16 hours a day, with little personal time.  The actual hours vary from job to job, locations to location, and the current combat environment.  Stateside, most Soldiers work about 10 hours a day five days a week.  However, they can be kept late to complete work, or be called back to post at any time.